by Tyler Scott, KCKCC sports information director
Oxford, Alabama – The Kansas City Kansas Community College softball team pounded its opponent, Triton College, 9-2 in the Blue Devils’ first game of the NJCAA Division II Softball National Tournament.
The No. 9 seed Blue Devils played Tuesday against the No. 8 seed Triton College at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
The Blue Devils are now 44-14 overall on the season.
KCKCC took it to the Trojans early in the game as the Blue Devils started the first inning with two consecutive hits. Triton retired the next two batters, but Maya Sheldon continued the inning for the squad as she hit a double to right-center field – scoring Savannah Maynard and Mckenzie Ogden.
The Blue Devils extended their lead to 4-0 in the third frame, which started with a wild pitch by Triton. Bradi Basler scored on the play, then Lindsey Gettle and Trinity Tauer each worked their way on base with a walk before Triton had to go to the bullpen.
Madison Pope then hit into a fielders choice, scoring McKenna Lester. KCKCC broke the game wide open in the fourth with three runs to take a 7-0 lead.
With the bases loaded, Sheldon earned her second RBI of the game on a single to score Ogden. After a fielder’s choice, Tauer snuck a single into the outfield to bring in another two runs (Sheldon and Lester) taking the big lead. Triton’s offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth, but the Blue Devils only allowed two runs to cross home plate.
Later, with two outs in the sixth inning, Tauer came up big again with another two-run base hit, scoring Sheldon and Lester once again.
“Offense was better than I have seen in a while,” head coach Lana Ross said. “I am very proud of them. We made good adjustments and Maya and Trinity came through with key doubles on two outs.”
Both teams played a scoreless seventh inning as Basler earned the complete game victory, striking out four batters. Ogden, Sheldon and Tauer each had two hits to lead KCKCC, while Tauer added a game-high four RBI.
KCKCC advances to the next round at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, on Wednesday when they face top-seed Des Moines Area College at 2 p.m.
“I studied the Triton hitters so we had a good game plan going in,” Ross said. “Bradi hit her spots and it worked out. Tomorrow is going to be a tough game but that is why we are here. I feel the team is ready and we will see what we can do tomorrow.”